Modular display, partition, wall and/or space planning system

ABSTRACT

A modular display, partition, wall, and/or space planning system comprised of interlocking panels which connect to form a stable self-standing, double-sided, self-supporting display structure that utilizes a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot system that solves the problem of the need for additional or any hardware to connect, reinforce, provide stands or stability, as well as to allow stacking, transport, and/or storage without the problem of removing or reinstalling any hardware, thus providing one or more advantages, unexpected results and/or solutions of comprising panels that are the substantially similar in one or more dimensions for ease of interchangeability, assembly, shipping and storage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a modular display, partition, wall, and/orspace planning system comprised of interlocking panels which connect toform a stable, self-standing, double-sided, self-supporting displaystructure.

BACKGROUND

Current modular panel display, partition, or wall systems, such as thoseused at trade shows, conventions, retail outlets, in flexible workspaces, and the like, suffer from design problems that result inundesirable features and outcomes, such as suitability for one or moreof manufacture, storage, transport, shipping, assembly, and disassembly,where the dimensions, need for hardware, materials, and the like makeone or more of these undesirable features.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide improved modular display,partition, or wall systems that overcome one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides different types of modular display, partition,wall, and/or space planning systems comprised of interlocking panelswhich connect to form a stable self-standing, double-sided, and/orself-supporting display structure that utilizes a lateral and/orlongitudinal interlocking slot system that solves the problem of theneed for additional or any hardware to connect, reinforce, providestands or stability, as well as to allow stacking, transport, and/orstorage without the problem of removing or reinstalling any or minimalhardware, thus providing one or more advantages, unexpected resultsand/or solutions comprising panels that are the substantially similar inone or more dimensions for ease of interchangeability, assembly,shipping, display elements or graphics, and/or storage. The term“modular display system” includes any system for any use, e.g., but notlimited to as provided herein or as known in the art, but which can beoptionally limited to exclude elements or features previously disclosedor known, selected from those listed herein or as known in the art.

The present invention can optionally provide one or more elements orfeatures of the combination of a self-supporting modular display,partition, wall, and/or space planning system that has the same ordifferent sized, double sided and/or interlocking panels that slidetogether optionally at any angle or substantially right angles, usinginterlocking slots closer to the edges of the panels than the centers,without additional interlocking hardware or connectors, for connectingseparate panels of different or same sizes in different combinations,orientations, and/or configurations, wherein the invention in one ormore embodiments can exclude one or more of a slotted right angle panel,additional hardware, additional right angle flares, sheets or panelsthat are used to support the panel to stand upright without additionalsupport, or where the panels fold at an angle to provide stability orsupport, and/or where the panels are folded and/or at an angle ofgreater than, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, and/or90 degrees as the inside angle of the fold, and/or where the foldedpanel is connected or stabilized by slotted connection by one panel atopposite ends of one folded first panel at least two first and/or secondslots of the folded first panel with a second panel connected by thirdand/or fourth slots of the second panel at the opposite lateral ends ofthe second panel.

The invention can optionally include in one or more embodiments aself-supporting modular panel display system, partition, or wall system,comprising (a) two or more of the same or different sized, double sidedand/or interlocking panels that slide together at any angle orsubstantially right angles, using interlocking slots closer to the edgesof the panels than the centers, without additional interlocking hardwareor connectors, said interlocking slots connecting separate panels ofdifferent or same sizes in different combinations, orientations, and/orconfigurations.

The invention can optionally include wherein one or more of (i) each ofthe panels are substantially flat and/or do not bend or fold to provideinterlocking of said slots; (ii) the panels interlock via saidinterlocking slots with other panels at any angle or substantially rightangles without: (a) folding or bending (e.g., but not limited to morethan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, or any range or value therein); or (b) the use ofadditional hardware to connect or support the panels.

The invention can optionally include wherein the panels do not compriseadditional right angle flares, sheets or panels at their longitudinalends that bend or fold or attach at an angle to provide support to thepanel to stand upright without additional support.

The invention can optionally include wherein the panels comprise 3-500(e.g., but not limited to, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 25, 30,34, 51, 68, 85, etc.) panels and/or the panels comprise two or more ofthe same or different sizes.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises two orpanels having one or more selected from the group consisting of:knock-down, flat pattern, lightweight, design, art, photography, graphicor digital arts, video, laser cut pattern, etc., or word or logocovered, shipping standards compliant, a zigzag configuration, flat,angled, right angled configuration, stackable, interchangeable orslotted configuration or footprint; display surface or visibility of 90to 360 degrees; dimensions that fit standard shipping box dimensions;re-usable or recyclable materials; customizable: configurations, visualsor materials; stackable configurations that allow flat pattern equipmentuse for manufacture, transport, or shipping, or moving; and/orconfigurations for minimum material waste.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panelshaving dimensions selected from the group consisting of 2×4, 4×4, 4×8,8×8, 8×12 or 8×12 feet; or 1×2, 2×2, 1×3, 2×3, 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 2×5meters, or any scale thereof, e.g. 2/1, ½, ¼, ⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/1/32, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or value therein, or any shape, e.g.,but not limited to rectangle, square, rounded, circular, oblong, orcombinations thereof.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panelsof standard or repeatable sized sheets that can be assembled ordismantled in one selected from the group consisting of 5, 10, 15, 20,30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 120, 150, 180, or 240minutes that is shorter than other systems or panels that use adifferent interlocking system or require the use of hardware attachmentor standing.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprisesadditional hardware, e.g., but not limited to, attachment, stability,additional panels, and the like, and/or for attachments, connections,support, additional panels and the like, for fixture attachments to thepanels for fixtures that are not required for assembly or standing ofthe system.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panelsas standard sized panels having dimensions selected from 2-60 ‘ tall by8-144″ wide by 1-8’ deep, or 1-15 meters tall by 0.25-5 meters wide by0.15-50 inches or 0.3-127 cm deep, or any scale thereof, e.g., ½, ¼, ⅓,⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or value therein,which can further include horizontal panels or table top presentationsand the like.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panelsoptionally comprising one or more of UV, heat, cold, wind, or waterresistant or protective materials for use indoors or outdoors. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the panels do not include: one or more of

(A) one or more panels that each fold at an angle of greater than oneselected from the group consisting of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55,60, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees as the inside angle of the fold: or

(B) one or more folded panels that is connected or stabilized by atleast one slotted connection at each opposite lateral end of one foldedfirst panel by at least two first and/or second slots of the foldedfirst panel, the folded first panel connected with a second folded orflat panel connected by third and/or fourth lateral edge slots of thesecond panel at the opposite lateral ends of the second panel.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modularsheet or panel of the invention showing examples of interlockingfeatures; wherein alternatively sized panels 1A, 1B, and/or 1C can beused with the same or different panels by interlocking the slots 2A, 2B,and/or 2C as shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modularsheet or panel of the invention showing examples of interlockingfeatures;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modularsheet or panel of the invention showing examples of interlockingfeatures;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a non limiting examples of an expanded orexploded view of alternative modular sheet or panel interactions orinterlocking panel configurations for providing alternative modulardisplays of the invention in an expanded view; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an assembled view ofalternative modular sheet or panel interactions for providingalternative modular displays of the invention in a non-expanded,assembled view.

DESCRIPTION

The invention provides a modular display, partition, wall, and/or spaceplanning system comprised of interlocking panels which connect to form astable self-standing, double-sided, self-supporting display structurethat utilizes a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot systemthat solves the problem of the need for additional or any hardware toconnect, reinforce, provide stands or stability, as well as to allowstacking, transport, and/or storage without the problem of removing orreinstalling any hardware, thus providing one or more advantages,unexpected results and/or solutions of comprising panels that are thesubstantially similar in one or more dimensions for ease ofinterchangeability, assembly, shipping and/or storage.

FEATURES, ELEMENTS, DESIGN, AND/OR SOLUTIONS OR ADVANTAGES

The invention can provide at least one of, or one or more of,advantages, features, elements, design, unexpected properties orfunctions, solutions, unexpected results, and/or the like, which canoptionally comprise, include, consist essentially of, or consist of, oneor more of modular and/or scalable (can be larger or smaller using samecomponents); a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot system withno additional hardware required or used; knock-down, flat pattern,lightweight, design, shipping standards compliant, a zigzag, angled,stackable, interchangeable, and/or slotted configuration and/orfootprint, maximization or improvement of various aspects of displaysurface and/or visibility (20 to 45 to 90; 90 to 360 degrees, or anyangle, range or value therein.); portable, lightweight, fits standardshipping boxes, re-usable and/or recyclable, customizable:configurations, graphics and/or materials; versatile configurations;shorter, easier, less steps, less expensive, faster, and/or streamlinedmanufacture and/or fabrication process (e.g., due to standardized flatpattern panel configuration), method or system; allows advantageous orleveraged flat pattern equipment use for manufacture, transport, orshipping, or moving; designed for minimum material waste (e.g., but notlimited to using standard 2×4, 4×4, 4×8, 8×8, 8×12 or 8×12 feet; or 1×2,2×2, 1×3, 2×3, 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 2×5, or other meter, or any scale thereof,e.g., ½, ¼, ⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/50, 1/100, or any range orvalue therein, standard or repeatable sheets or panels; faster, easier,less expensive, or automated or simplified construction, assembly, ortake down (e.g., but not limited to, no hardware); sheets or panelsassemble/dismantle in a short, easier, faster, or less expensive manner;e.g., but not limited to, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65,70, 80, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240 minutes, or any range or value therein,as compared to other systems or panels that use a different interlockingsystem or require the use of hardware attachment or standing;hardware-free (but can use hardware for fixture attachments if needed);trade show compliant due to storage, transport, disassembly or:assembled dimensions that can be provided as standard sized panels,e.g., but not limited to (8′-0″ tall×10′-0″ wide×3′-0″ deep), or anyother standard ranges or values of panels, e.g., 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5,and/or 3 M tall×0.33, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, etc., Mwide×0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30,etc., cm deep, or any range or value; or any scale thereof, e.g., ½, ¼,⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/64, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or valuetherein); indoor or outdoor applications based on use of suitablematerials and/or other elements as known in the art, e.g., to address:sun exposure, wind/water resistance, etc.; providing a ‘blank canvas’ inthat the industrial design quality of it alters with each new surfacedesign printed, also the configuration chosen through assembly (forexample: panels may be inserted half way to allow for a ‘window’ effectso that visitors can see through to the other side); double-sided,interchangeable, and/or full or designated coverage printable surfacesto allow for full or designated coverage visual communications,including graphics, branding, photography, and/or color treatment;design treatment can follow the inherent structural grid pattern, orbreak the demarcation boundaries of seams, to accomplish one largergraphic; no limitations on visual variations, including but not limitedto having no to partial to complete graphics, or any combinationthereof, and/or using the surfaces to write on (for example: a modularwhite board; high quality, aesthetically beautiful material surfaces ata fraction of the cost; USES and/or APPLICATIONS (not limited to): TradeShow Back Wall (dimensions are trade show compliant); Retail Display(Point of Purchase), scalable; Office Dividers/shared offices (suitablefor open space architecture, replaces cubicle concept); White Boarddisplay tool; Photography display; temporary or Pop-up stores or retail;office space planning and dividers or cubicles; Disaster Relief dividerwalls; Portable Aisles or Conference and/or Presentation Display boards(talking points at scale; Small Scale: children's educational tool/toy;Home Décor—decorative screen/space divide; custom Museum Displays;Theatre Backdrops; Wedding wall: visual storytelling; temporary ChangingRoom (events, performances); Art Booth/Event Display (fairs, galleryshowings, etc.); and/or any other display or other use.

One or more aspects of the invention can provide one or more uses and/oradvantages, e.g., but not limited to trade shows, conventions, retailoutlets, pop up shop display and/or space dividers; office cubicledividers (e.g., for shared office space); show, music, video, movie, ortheatre back drops or props or stage components, disaster relief, and/ortemporary or permanent structures that comprise interlocking panels forany use, e.g., but not limited to, one or more of: INTERCHANGEABLEPANELS: current systems allow for a permanent message and changing thisis costly for a booth or retail display (our system is modular allowingfor one or all panels to be reprinted); VISIBILITY: based on a RIGHTANGLE, STEPPED FOOTPRINT configuration, allows greater visibility forfoot traffic from all directions; FLAT PATTERN DESIGN: manufacturingease & cost effective manufacturing process (cutting, printing,shipping, storage); MASS CUSTOMIZABLE (customization without alteringthe structure); PROFILE SHAPE can be altered: top (curved cuts), window(sliding panels up) height (by varying number of pieces.

The panels or sheets of the invention can be made by any suitablematerial or combination of materials, which can include but are notlimited to one or more of plastics, resins, polymers, paper, fabric,polymers, metal (e.g., but not limited to steel, iron, aluminum, brass,copper, or alloys), wood, concrete, block, tile, ceramic, brick or brickfacing, recycled materials, epoxy, glass, films, and/or mixtures orcombinations thereof, and the like.

FIGS. 1-3 are diagrams of a non limiting examples of alternative modularsheets or panels of the invention; wherein alternatively sized panels1A, 1B, and/or 1C can be used with the same or different panels byinterlocking the slots 2A, 2B, and/or 2C as shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modularsheet or panel interactions or interlocking panel configurations forproviding alternative modular displays of the invention in an expandedview.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modularsheet or panel interactions for providing alternative modular displaysof the invention in a non-expanded, assembled view.

Other embodiments, features, elements, advantages, and/or the like ofthe present invention would be clear to one of ordinary skill in the artbased on the disclosure, claims, and/or figures of the presentapplication, and/or all of such alternative embodiments, features,elements, advantages, are included herein, as well as what is well knownin the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-supporting modular display system,comprising: a. two or more of the same or different sized, double sidedand interlocking panels that slide together at any angle orsubstantially right angles, using lateral or longitudinal interlockingslots closer to the edges of the panels than the centers, withoutadditional interlocking hardware or connectors, said interlocking slotsconnecting separate panels of different or same sizes in differentcombinations, orientations, and configurations; wherein (i) each of thepanels are substantially flat and do not substantially bend or fold toprovide interlocking of said slots; (ii) the panels interlock via saidinterlocking slots with other panels at any angle or substantially rightangles without: (a) folding or bending of the panels more than 5degrees; or (b) the use of additional hardware to connect or support thepanels; (iv) the panels do not comprise additional right angle flares,sheets or panels at their longitudinal ends that bend or fold or attachat an angle to provide support to the panel to stand upright withoutadditional support.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein thesystems comprise 2-50 panels and the panels comprise two or more of thesame or different sizes.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein thesystem comprises two or panels having one or more selected from thegroup consisting of: knock-down, flat pattern, lightweight, design orword covered, shipping standards compliant, a zigzag configuration,flat, angled, right angled configuration, stackable, interchangeable orslotted configuration or footprint; display surface or visibility of 90to 360 degrees; dimensions that fit standard shipping box dimensions;re-usable or recyclable materials; customizable: configurations,graphics or materials; stackable configurations that allow flat patternequipment use for manufacture, transport, or shipping, or moving; andconfigurations for minimum material waste.
 4. A system according toclaim 1, wherein the system comprises panels having dimensions selectedfrom the group consisting of 2×4, 4×4, 4×8, 8×8, 8×12 or 8×12 feet; or1×2, 2×2, 1×3, 2×3, 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 2×5 meters, or scales thereofselected from ½, ¼, ⅙, ⅛, 1/12, 1/16, 1/32, 1/50, 1/64 or 1/100.
 5. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises panels ofstandard or repeatable sized sheets that can be assembled or dismantledin one selected from the group consisting of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 120, 150, 180, or 240 minutes that isshorter than other systems or panels that use a different interlockingsystem or require the use of hardware attachment or standing.
 6. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises additionalhardware for fixture attachments to the panels for fixtures that are notrequired for assembly or standing of the system.
 7. A system accordingto claim 1, wherein the system comprises panels as standard sized panelshaving dimensions selected from 1-40′ tall by 8-384″ wide by 0.15-50inches deep, or 1-15 meters tall by 0.25-10 meters wide by or 0.3-127 cmdeep.
 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprisespanels that comprise UV, heat, cold, wind, or water resistant orprotective materials, or natural or synthetic materials for use indoorsor outdoors.
 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the panels do notinclude: (A) one or more panels that each fold at an angle of greaterthan one selected from the group consisting of 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 120, or 140 degrees asthe inside angle of the fold: or (B) one or more folded panels that isconnected or stabilized by at least one slotted connection at eachopposite lateral end of one folded first panel by least two first andsecond slots of the folded first panel, the folded first panel connectedwith a second folded or flat panel connected by third and fourth lateraledge slots of the second panel at the opposite lateral ends of thesecond panel.